VARSITY - Fearless forecast: Predictions for the 2009 season

*On the keys to beating DP: "We're going to have to avoid turnovers and the mistakes that kids make early in the season, the penalties they know they can't commit and all of the things coaches deal with early in the season. If we can avoid them, we have a chance to compete."

*On the problems the Panthers present: "Any time you have to play a team that has really good team speed, then you have to try to avoid giving up the big play. They have really good athletes at the skill positions."

*On last year's loss to DP: "I don't think it'll have any bearing on the game. We played so poorly and we had lost so many kids that we were just trying to see how the pieces fit together."

*On his team: "I'm a little concerned about our lack of depth at running back. We had a young man who played really well in the Kickoff Classic named Keith Freeman. He had a devastating knee injury last year and they had to completely rebuild his knee, so I'm going to ease him along. Because of that, we have some people who are going to have to go both ways."

*On the game's significance: "I like to schedule tough games at the beginning of the year. This is the first one, and we've got two more the next two weeks [at Olympia, at Apopka] that are probably just as big. It will help us find out how good of a team we're going to be."

Dale Salapa

*On facing Edgewater: "We surprised them last year, and I don't think that sat real well with them. I have no belief this year that we're going to be flying under the radar with anybody."

*On his offense: "We're working with a two-quarterback system with Nick Patti and Robbie Matey, but you've got Kenny Shaw as one of our wide receivers. You've got Demetrius Hart, who's a junior running back. Marvin Ford, another one of our running backs, is doing a great job."

*On Edgewater players to wa tch: "The quarterback [Kent Gainous] is a great, great athlete. He can make things happen on the field. They've also got a strong running back, and it's really just a Gierke team."

*On Edgewater transfer Hasean Clinton-Dix joining DP: "Anyone who looks on the blog sites sees that there are people who like to share their opinion about it, but I think it will add to the game. He was such an impact player for them and he will be for us, but the difference is that he lined up and played tailback for them. He's lining up and primarily playing defense for us this year."

*On starting the season: "You can quit hitting each other and finally get one that's for real."